Based on the court transcripts of the trial of Viet Nam War peace activists, The Trial of the Catonsville Nine tells the story of the nine people who broke into a Maryland draft office on May 17, 1968, and burned 378 draft cards with homemade napalm. Brothers Philip Berrigan and Daniel Berrigan—both Catholic priests—led the movement and are joined by seven church parishioners in their protest for peace. In sharp contrast to the wave of young, liberal extremists at the forefront of the resistance headlines, The Nine give a new face to activism and inspire hundreds of anti-war demonstrations that follow.